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Lakeland Man, Three Children Die in Lake County Crash

Wilfredo Malave and his children were killed Friday evening in a single-car crash.

Wilfredo Malave of Lakeland was driving a 2009 Mercedes Benz sedan that went off the road and struck several trees, killing him and his three children. (BAY NEWS 9)

By ELVIA MALAGONTHE LEDGER

Published: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 12:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 12:22 p.m.

LAKELAND | Family and friends were mourning Saturday the death of a Lakeland man and his three young children who were killed Friday evening in a single-car crash in Lake County.

Wilfredo Malave, 41, and his 9-year-old son, Zion Malave, died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Phoenix Malave, 7, and Avaya Malave, 2, died later at Southlake Hospital in Clermont.

Malave was driving with the children to his north Lakeland home from Lake County, where the children lived with their mother, Christina Malave, his brother-in-law, Adrian Deshazor, said.

Malave lost control and drove off the road at 6:45 p.m. Friday as he was heading southbound in his 2009 Mercedes sedan on State Road 33 near Groveland Airport Road, where the two-lane road curves, FHP said.

The car crashed into trees and a pole then continued on the shoulder of the road before hitting another tree and coming to a stop, FHP said.

Troopers continue investigating the crash and are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether alcohol was a factor. Malave and all three children were wearing seat belts or child restraints.

The speed limit is 60 miles per hour.

Family and neighbors Saturday afternoon described the family as tight-knit and loving.

Deshazor said Malave originally was from New York and has lived in Polk County for the past 15 years. He worked at B & M Precision Inc., a medical equipment company. According to Malave's LinkedIn profile, he was a director of operations.

Deshazor, who is married to Malave's sister, said the three children spent most weekends with their father in Lakeland.

Zion Malave and Phoenix Malave attended school in Lake County, Deshazor said, but didn't know the names of the schools.

Neighbor Lori Dawson, 41, said her family and Wilfredo Malave moved into the Magnolia Manor subdivision as the houses were being constructed.

Dawson said Wilfredo Malave served as the president of the homeowners' association for years. She recalled that at one point Malave and his wife, Christina, owned a landscaping business and cut their neighbors' lawns for free.

"He drove through the neighborhood and waved at everyone," she said. "He was a staple in the community."

Malave liked to camp and ride his motorcycle, Dawson said.

Neighbor Robert Honaker said the news of the crash was heartbreaking.

"I knew the kids since they were born," he said. "I was here all the time, I saw them grow up."

Honaker said he helped teach Zion and Phoenix how to ride their bicycles and would see them outdoors playing with other neighborhood children.

Lori Dawson described Zion as an old soul who was mature for his age and Phoenix as quiet. She said she didn't know Avaya well but said the two boys were protective of their baby sister.

She teared up as she recalled how she one day asked Zion when his mother's birthday was and he didn't know. She told him to find out and never forget the date. The next week he stopped in and told her he found out and memorized the date.

Dawson's husband, Kirk Dawson, said he saw a deputy and trooper outside Malave's house Friday night and sent Malave a text message but never heard back. He later learned the officers were there because of the crash.

<p>LAKELAND | Family and friends were mourning Saturday the death of a Lakeland man and his three young children who were killed Friday evening in a single-car crash in Lake County.</p><p>Wilfredo Malave, 41, and his 9-year-old son, Zion Malave, died at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Phoenix Malave, 7, and Avaya Malave, 2, died later at Southlake Hospital in Clermont.</p><p>Malave was driving with the children to his north Lakeland home from Lake County, where the children lived with their mother, Christina Malave, his brother-in-law, Adrian Deshazor, said.</p><p>Malave lost control and drove off the road at 6:45 p.m. Friday as he was heading southbound in his 2009 Mercedes sedan on State Road 33 near Groveland Airport Road, where the two-lane road curves, FHP said.</p><p>The car crashed into trees and a pole then continued on the shoulder of the road before hitting another tree and coming to a stop, FHP said.</p><p>Troopers continue investigating the crash and are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether alcohol was a factor. Malave and all three children were wearing seat belts or child restraints.</p><p>The speed limit is 60 miles per hour.</p><p>Family and neighbors Saturday afternoon described the family as tight-knit and loving.</p><p>Deshazor said Malave originally was from New York and has lived in Polk County for the past 15 years. He worked at B & M Precision Inc., a medical equipment company. According to Malave's LinkedIn profile, he was a director of operations.</p><p>Deshazor, who is married to Malave's sister, said the three children spent most weekends with their father in Lakeland.</p><p>"He loved his family, and the kids were incredible," Deshazor said. "Very fun, playful, loving children."</p><p>Zion Malave and Phoenix Malave attended school in Lake County, Deshazor said, but didn't know the names of the schools.</p><p>Neighbor Lori Dawson, 41, said her family and Wilfredo Malave moved into the Magnolia Manor subdivision as the houses were being constructed.</p><p>Dawson said Wilfredo Malave served as the president of the homeowners' association for years. She recalled that at one point Malave and his wife, Christina, owned a landscaping business and cut their neighbors' lawns for free.</p><p>"He drove through the neighborhood and waved at everyone," she said. "He was a staple in the community."</p><p>Malave liked to camp and ride his motorcycle, Dawson said.</p><p>Neighbor Robert Honaker said the news of the crash was heartbreaking.</p><p>"I knew the kids since they were born," he said. "I was here all the time, I saw them grow up."</p><p>Honaker said he helped teach Zion and Phoenix how to ride their bicycles and would see them outdoors playing with other neighborhood children.</p><p>Lori Dawson described Zion as an old soul who was mature for his age and Phoenix as quiet. She said she didn't know Avaya well but said the two boys were protective of their baby sister.</p><p>She teared up as she recalled how she one day asked Zion when his mother's birthday was and he didn't know. She told him to find out and never forget the date. The next week he stopped in and told her he found out and memorized the date.</p><p>"It's sad," she said. "I can't imagine what Christina is going through."</p><p>Dawson's husband, Kirk Dawson, said he saw a deputy and trooper outside Malave's house Friday night and sent Malave a text message but never heard back. He later learned the officers were there because of the crash.</p><p>"They were good people," he said. "It's beyond horrible."</p><p>Deshazor said the family has not yet made funeral arrangements.</p>